Man who hit girlfriend with bat is sentenced

An Emmaus man will serve at least six months behind bars for hitting his girlfriend with an aluminum baseball bat.

Leroy Ingram, 61, was sentenced last Wednesday to six to 23 months in Lehigh County Prison by Judge Robert L. Steinberg.

The victim, Ingram's 27-year-old girlfriend, Salena Sanchez, told Steinberg she wants to continue her relationship with Ingram and wanted him home with their nearly 11-month-old child and her three other children, according to prosecutors.

Deputy District Attorney Anna-Kristie Morffi said Sanchez was bruised and bleeding from the top of her head after the October assault at Ingram's S. Third Street apartment and still has a scar.

At the time of the assault, Sanchez and Ingram were living together and Ingram was paying the rent on the apartment.

Ingram had been charged with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and possession of an instrument of crime, but prosecutors say the victim's lack of cooperation was a factor in his plea deal.

Steinberg ordered Ingram to pay a $300 fine and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and said any recommendations regarding treatment will have to be met by Ingram before he can be released from jail.

Ingram has already served nearly five months in jail since his Oct. 27 arrest.